BN Health Forum Melbourne: A World of Hurt - Pain Management Claims in Focus

Gemma-Jane Cooper has practised widely in the areas of public liability, workers' compensation, medical negligence and insurance law for over 15 years.

She specialises in litigation arising from personal injuries, including public liability, medical negligence, workplace accidents (both statutory benefits and common law claims), transport accidents and institutional abuse, acting for both plaintiff and defendant clients. She also has significant experience appearing in section 369 recovery claims under the WIRC Act, and advising on bullying and sexual assault claims.

Gemma-Jane has also regularly advised on insurance contracts and indemnity disputes.

Melanie Harper is an experienced health lawyer and is committed to the lawful, ethical, and compassionate delivery of public healthcare. Melanie commenced her role as General Counsel for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2021 and prior to that worked for six years in the legal team at Eastern Health. Melanie has also worked in private practice as a commercial lawyer.

Melanie is a volunteer committee member for Banksia Palliative Care Service in Heidelberg and has recently been awarded the 2024 Healthcare Lawyer of the Year Award by Lawyers Weekly.

Dr. Pene Wood B.Pharm MPS-AACPA (PhD) has worked in pharmacy practice for over 20 years. Her experience includes Community Pharmacy, academia, working at the Western Victoria PHN as the Opioid Management Team Lead as well as the Quality Use of Medicine Lead, and as an embedded practice pharmacist at Wathaurong Health Service ACCHO. She currently works as a GP Practice Pharmacist at Headspace (Frankston) and IPC Health (Deer Park) where she specialises in addiction and is part of the “Power Over Pain” interdisciplinary team.

In addition to her role as a pharmacist, Pene runs her own consultancy business where she provides medication reviews and workshops, as well as training, advice, mentoring and research across various areas relating to pharmacy practice. She has a particular focus on pain and addiction

Pene took part in the Pain Revolution Regional Tours in Tasmania in 2019 and Victoria in 2020, and is currently training for the 2024 Tour. She completed her doctorate in 2021, which included her thesis “Opioids: What Role Can The Pharmacist Play?”.

Dr Vadasseri completed training in psychiatry and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. She also holds a degree in Master of Psychological Medicine from Monash University and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. She has completed postgraduate training in clinical hypnosis and is a member of the Australian society of hypnosis.

By way of background, Dr Vadasseri obtained her MBBS medical degree in 1987 and completed training as a consultant anaesthetist in 1991 overseas, before transitioning to psychiatry training at Southern Health. She completed her pain medicine training at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and Melbourne Pain Group where she currently works privately and has also worked as the Consultant Psychiatrist at the Pain Clinics in Monash Health and St Vincent’s Hospital.

Dr Vadasseri has a keen interest in working with people who have chronic pain, psychological difficulties and mood disorders. She completed her pain medicine training at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and Melbourne Pain Group and has worked as the Consultant Psychiatrist at the Pain Clinics in Monash Health and St. Vincent’s Hospital. From 2012, she has been working as a pain psychiatrist at Melbourne Pain Group.

Natalie is a Special Counsel in BN's Insurance & Health team, specialising in professional indemnity and health law. Her extensive professional indemnity experience includes acting for local and international insurers and their insureds, in defending claims against a broad range of professional clients across all Australian jurisdictions, including allied health practitioners, medical practitioners and pharmacists.

Prior to joining Barry Nilsson, Natalie was a Legal and Claims Manager and Team Leader for a large insurer, managing a diverse range of professional indemnity claims. This gives Natalie a unique perspective to appreciate the needs of the insurer and their client, allowing her to adopt a pragmatic approach in delivering the best possible outcome to her clients with a tailored solution that takes into account the associated risks.

Ashlee is a Senior Associate in BN's Insurance & Health team, specialising in professional indemnity and health law. She acts for a range of professional indemnity insurance providers, medical defence organisations, and their members on issues including medical negligence and personal injury claims, disciplinary proceedings, coronial investigations and inquests, and risk management.

With extensive experience defending a variety of medical and healthcare providers, including hospitals and medical practitioners, Ashlee takes a personable and practical approach to her matters. She appreciates the reputational concerns of health professionals and ensures they feel supported and empowered throughout the course of a matter.